Joseph of Arimathea

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Christina

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Joseph of Arimathea - Who was he? Note that the information presented in this article is acquired from various sources - not strictly biblical manuscripts. The stories have been passed down through traditional documents and can not be proved as accurate. Joseph of Arimathea was quite an enigma! From history we learn that he was previously known as Joseph de Marmore as he lived in Marmorica in Egypt before he moved to Arimathea.1 There is speculation that Joseph of Arimathea, or Joseph of Glastonbury as he later became known, was the uncle of Mary, mother of Jesus. The relationship to Mary made him a Great Uncle of Jesus. From this, we may presume that he was an elderly man at the time of the crucifixion. We have few verifiable details about Joseph except that he was he was quite wealthy. Some claim that Joseph of Arimathea was a merchant in metals and took young Jesus with him on his business trips to England, India, and even to South America. It is a well documented fact that Britain led the world at this time with its tin mining. Joseph of Arimathea was referred to by the Romans as 'Nobilis Decurio' or Minister of Mines to the Roman Government. Joseph of Arimathea was not one of the original 12 apostles, but he was a disciple of Jesus and was an important man in his own right. He is mentioned in all four gospels (Matthew: 27:57-60; Mark 15:43-46; Luke 23:50-55; John 19:38-42). He was a high counselor, a voting member of the Sanhedrin2 which officially wanted Jesus condemned to death. We may speculate that he had not consented to, or agreed with, the decision to push Pontius Pilot to impose the death penalty upon Jesus. In spite of his relationship with Jesus, his loyalty to Him was largely kept secret (John 19:38). Jesus was obviously unpopular with the elders of the church, and to outwardly support Him did not bring favor in their eyes (John 19:38). Even though Joseph of Arimathea had attempted to keep his love for Jesus a secret, he boldly went to Pilot and asked for the body of Jesus to be placed in his trust. This is significant in and of itself. Joseph of Arimathea, not Mary Jesus' mother, not Mary Magdalene, or any of the apostles were entrusted with the act of taking Jesus down from the cross. Most of the apostles had fled anyway. Joseph took the body and put it in his own tomb. According to various historical sources, Joseph's actions provoked both the Roman and Jewish elders and he eventually did spend time in prison for his support of Jesus.3 Other historical sources report that Joseph of Arimathea went on a preaching mission to Gaul with the apostle Phillip, Mary Magdalene, Lazarus, and others sometime between the years A.D. 37 and A.D. 63 (the year is in dispute). At Marseilles, Lazarus and Mary parted company with the main group who continued on further up North. When Joseph's party reached the English Channel, Phillip sent Joseph with 12 disciples to the furthest corner of the Roman Empire, the Island of the Britons. Legend has it that Joseph sailed around Land's End at the southern tip of England with the intent of catching up with old business acquaintances in the lead and tin mines. They ran aground in the Glastonbury marshes. Once again, it is reported that after climbing a nearby hill to survey the countryside, they were exhausted and Joseph thrust into the ground a staff made from the 'Holy Crown of Thorns' worn by Christ. He announced that he and his traveling companions were all weary. It is legendry that the thorn staff immediately took root and the thorn bush can still be seen today on 'Wearyall Hill.' Joseph built a church (Vetusta Ecclesia)5 of mud and wattle on the site and decreed that 12 monks should always reside in that most sacred place. It is interesting to note that a spirited shrub which grows near the now ruined Abbey is of the same type that grows in the Eastern Mediterranean and flowers only twice a year - Christmas time and Easter.6 It is also claimed that Joseph collected some of the blood and sweat of Christ after His side was pierced as He hung on the cross. The chalice or cup which Joseph used to collect the fluids is reported to be the same one used during the last supper. Joseph took the cup with him on his voyage to England and is said to have hidden it on the site at Glastonbury, at the bottom of a deep well, called the 'Chalice Well', or the 'Blood Well.' The well is a rather curious place, 25 thousand gallons of red-tinted water pass through the well area each day. The red tint is caused by high iron content in the water.3.
 

ryangrom

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I am so glad you posted this. It brings up a question I have been wondering about for along time now. Where does some of this information come from? I ask not in a speculative manner, but as someone wanting to read. Information like this blesses me in a way. It just adds life to some of the characters in the Bible. I have heard that Peter was crucified on a cross upside down for instance. I have read allot of your posts Kriss and I trust just about everything I have heard you say, so I am wondering if you could point me in the direction of information like this that you trust of biblical characters. Much thanks in advance and God bless.
 

Wakka

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Jun 4, 2007
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Thank you sister Kriss. You have informed my of a Biblical character that I would have most likely skipped an not have given any attention.
 

Jordan

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Apr 6, 2007
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Yea indeed...in fact, I'll put this as my favorite when I get my computer back...so I could study on him. (Joseph) It's a neat information.Lovest thou in Christ Jesus (Yahshua) our Lord and Saviour.
 

Christina

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Apr 10, 2006
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(ryangrom;14822)
I am so glad you posted this. It brings up a question I have been wondering about for along time now. Where does some of this information come from? I ask not in a speculative manner, but as someone wanting to read. Information like this blesses me in a way. It just adds life to some of the characters in the Bible. I have heard that Peter was crucified on a cross upside down for instance. I have read allot of your posts Kriss and I trust just about everything I have heard you say, so I am wondering if you could point me in the direction of information like this that you trust of biblical characters. Much thanks in advance and God bless.
ryangromI did not see your post earlier I apologize This kind of information is spread everywhere its just that it helps if you have enough Biblical knowledge to sort out the trash from the truth so to speak I love learning new things that bring new and deeper perspectives to scripture many can write a good sermon and quote scripture but I always want to know more I see you enjoy this also. Its hard to just direct you to one place because I dont know of a single place to go but if there is a person or a subject you want to ask about please do as I read and study all the time. I do appreciate your kind words and strive not to post what isnt biblical but I am human So always check it out in his Word it is the only infallible truthGod Bless to youHere is a short general study on the apostles http://www.christianityboard.com/12-apostl...01.html?p=14828Also you might check our Christian Resources thread there are links to links to places/studies there. You might also enjoy reading: The Works of Flavius Josephus a Jewish historian around Christs time. There is a link to it in the resources thread http://www.christianityboard.com/christian...ources-f24.html
 

ryangrom

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Aug 5, 2007
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Thank you so much Kriss! The apostles were the main thing I was wondering about more than anything else so thank you so much for that link!!!
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Have you come across anything you have a good witness about and believe about King Solomon or King David? The bible refers to a book about the history of the kings of Isreal or something real similar to that.(i think in either 1st or 2nd kings) I have heard that it is not available to us nowadays but I know some remnants of it must be floating around somewhere. Thank you so much for that link about the apostles again.God blessRyan